How and why is a "wet smear" exam done?

How and why is a "wet smear" exam done?

Michael Tahery (Obstetrician & Gynecologist) gives expert video advice on: What is the difference between a yeast infection and bacterial vaginitis?; How did I get a vaginal yeast infection?; How will my doctor test for a vaginal infection? and more...

We put a speculum inside, we get a Q-Tip, we get a sample of the discharge and fluid that's collected in the vaginal area, we smear it on a laboratory slide, and then we treat it with different chemicals. If we're looking for yeast, or if we're looking for a bacterial infection, we treat it with a very special agent, and we look at it under the microscope. And then we look for either yeast components or bacterial components, or inflammatory cells, because sometimes the discomfort may not even be an infection. It may be some kind of an irritation or allergic reaction. So this will help us differentiate between the different possibilities for the symptoms a patient is experiencing.